A trustworthy medical weight loss clinic has a licensed clinician evaluate you, names the exact drug and its source, explains whether it is FDA-approved or compounded, screens for contraindications, schedules follow-up, and discloses total costs and financing terms in writing. The FTC says claims such as weight loss without diet or exercise or for all users are false, and FDA lists telehealth red flags such as no prescription screening and no available licensed doctor. You can check a license through the Florida Department of Health or Colorado DORA lookups.
Key takeaways
- Ask who evaluates you and verify the license yourself: Florida uses the Department of Health MQA lookup and Colorado uses the DORA Division of Professions and Occupations lookup.
- Ask for the exact drug and source. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality.
- Expect screening before treatment, including personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2, which are contraindications on the semaglutide label.
- Walk away from guarantees. The FTC lists seven weight-loss claims it calls false, including loss without diet or exercise and loss for all users.
- Get total costs and financing terms in writing, including whether interest is deferred.
What should you ask a medical weight loss clinic before you start?
Ask twelve questions covering who evaluates you, exactly what you will receive and where it comes from, how you will be screened and monitored, what happens when you stop, what everything costs, and what the clinic will not promise. The table lists each question with the kind of answer to look for.
This guide is written from the patient's side. It applies to any clinic, including ours, and the sections below give the sources behind each question.
| Question | A good answer includes | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who evaluates me, and what is their license? | A named, licensed clinician in your state; you can verify it | No clinician named, or no evaluation before treatment |
| 2. Exactly which drug, and from what source? | Drug name, manufacturer or dispensing pharmacy, and how it reaches you | Vague product names, or labels you cannot trace |
| 3. Is it FDA-approved or compounded? | A plain statement, and the clinical reason if compounded | Claims that a compounded drug is the same as an approved one |
| 4. What screening happens first? | Medical history, medications, pregnancy plans, relevant labs | Prescription without screening |
| 5. How often will I be monitored? | A written follow-up schedule and who reviews results | No follow-up plan |
| 6. What is the side-effect plan? | What to expect, what is urgent, and who to call | Side effects dismissed or no contact route |
| 7. What is the maintenance and stopping plan? | A written plan, including what happens after the drug | Treatment framed as permanent or as a quick fix |
| 8. What is the total cost? | All visits, labs, drugs, supplements and fees, in writing | Price revealed in pieces |
| 9. If I finance, what are the terms? | Rate, length, and whether interest is deferred | Pressure to sign financing on the spot |
| 10. What do you not guarantee? | Results vary; no promised pounds | Guaranteed or specific weight-loss promises |
| 11. What diet, activity and counseling are included? | A defined program alongside any medication | Medication alone with no support |
| 12. How will you coordinate with my other doctors, and what if it is not working? | Shared records and a defined review point | No plan for non-response or side effects |
Who should evaluate you, and how do you check a license?
A licensed clinician should evaluate you before any prescription weight-loss treatment begins, and you can confirm the license yourself in a few minutes using your state's lookup. NIDDK describes a safe program as one overseen by a doctor or certified health professional, with staff such as registered dietitians or exercise physiologists, and with ongoing safety monitoring and coordination with your own health care professional [5].
Florida. The Florida Department of Health's license help page links a Verify a License tool run by its Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) at mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/HealthCareProviders [10]; the same address is linked from FLHealthSource.gov [12]. FLHealthSource.gov, the Division's website, describes the license verification tool as one that lets you search the Division's database by licensee name or license number, and it links separate practitioner profile and discipline searches [12]. The department says the portal shows license status, practitioner profiles for certain professions, and discipline and administrative actions [11].
Colorado. The Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), links a Verify a License lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx [13]. DORA's Check a License page says you browse regulated license types and look up a licensee by name, and that disciplinary action by a licensing board is often public and available online [14]. The Medical Board's actions page says most disciplinary documents can be viewed by verifying a license through DPO Online Services, that public documents are typically posted within 2 to 3 business days of an action, and that the online board actions should not be relied on as an official record [15]. DPO also runs a Healthcare Professions Profiling Program with a profile search at dpo.colorado.gov/HPPP/Search [16].
A national physician database, DocInfo, draws on the Federation of State Medical Boards. It shows licensure data from state medical boards and disciplinary actions those boards have reported, with the caveat that most boards report monthly and records can lag [17]. A clean lookup confirms a license and public discipline status. It does not tell you whether a treatment is right for you, so it complements the other eleven questions.
What drug will you receive, and is it FDA-approved or compounded?
Ask for the drug name, the manufacturer or dispensing pharmacy, and a plain statement of whether the product is FDA-approved or compounded. The distinction matters because FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed [1].
Wegovy (semaglutide) [8] and Zepbound (tirzepatide) [9] are two FDA-approved injectables for weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound is also indicated for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity [9], and Wegovy has additional indications for cardiovascular risk reduction and for MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis [8].
FDA states that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and that a compounded drug might be appropriate if a patient's medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug [1]. The agency reports dosing errors with compounded injectable semaglutide, some leading to hospitalization, and reports tied to compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide doses above the approved label. As of May 31, 2026, FDA had received 990 adverse event reports for compounded semaglutide and more than 730 for compounded tirzepatide, which it says are likely underreported [1]. FDA also states that semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate are different active ingredients from those in approved drugs, and that it is not aware of any lawful basis for their use in compounding [1]. Products labeled for research or not for human consumption are unknown quality and may be harmful [1].
Healthy Weight Loss 4 U offers semaglutide and tirzepatide at both clinics, and every program begins with clinician evaluation. Whichever clinic you choose, the practical advice from FDA is to get a prescription from your doctor, fill it at a state-licensed pharmacy, and use FDA's BeSafeRx resources when buying prescription medicines online [1].
HCG is a separate case. FDA states there are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight loss and that there is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss [2]. It also notes that people on a very low calorie diet face increased risk of gallstones, electrolyte imbalance and heart arrhythmias [2].
What screening, monitoring and side-effect plan should you expect?
Expect a clinician to screen you for conditions that rule a drug in or out, to schedule follow-up, and to tell you in advance what side effects are common and which need urgent attention.
Screening. The semaglutide label carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and lists contraindications for a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, for multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), and for prior serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide. Its warnings cover acute pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, acute kidney injury due to volume depletion, severe gastrointestinal reactions, diabetic retinopathy complications, heart rate increase and pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia [8]. The label also says semaglutide may cause fetal harm and should be stopped when pregnancy is recognized and at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy [8]. The tirzepatide label lists a similar set of warnings, including thyroid C-cell tumors, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and kidney injury [9]. A good clinic asks about all of these before prescribing.
Diagnosis and workup. NHLBI says providers diagnose overweight and obesity from medical history and BMI, may measure waist circumference, may order blood tests to check conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome, and should discuss medicines that can contribute to weight change [7]. NIDDK says prescription medication is generally considered for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related problem such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, and that these drugs work best with a lifestyle program [6].
Monitoring. NIDDK notes that most side effects are mild and often improve, and that providers will usually reassess if a person has not lost at least 5% of starting weight after 12 weeks on the full dose [6]. The semaglutide label ties dehydration from gastrointestinal reactions to acute kidney injury and advises monitoring kidney function in people whose reactions could lead to volume depletion [8], and the tirzepatide label has a parallel warning, Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion [9]. Ask who you contact if you cannot keep fluids down, and how quickly you will hear back.
What should the maintenance plan, cost and financing disclosure include?
A good clinic explains what happens after the active phase, shows the full cost before you commit, and gives financing terms in writing. NIDDK recommends asking for the total program cost, including meal replacements, supplements and other fees, and describes a safe program as one with a maintenance plan and ongoing support [5].
Maintenance. NIDDK states that you will probably regain some weight after stopping weight-loss medication, that healthy eating and more physical activity may reduce regain, and that you may need more than 300 minutes per week of activity to maintain weight loss [6]. A clinic should be able to describe what its plan looks like for the months after treatment, not only the first twelve weeks. Insurance coverage also varies, so ask what is covered and what is not [6].
Financing. A 2023 CFPB report describes deferred interest promotions, in which a borrower pays zero or low interest for a set period, often 6 to 18 months, and is charged all the interest that would have accrued since the original purchase date if a balance remains when the promotion ends. About 20% of healthcare deferred-interest purchases were assessed interest, and the report notes these products are often offered in providers' offices, sometimes when patients are under significant stress [18]. Healthy Weight Loss 4 U offers financing through CareCredit and in-house plans. As with any clinic, ask for the terms in writing, ask whether any interest is deferred, take the paperwork home, and decide when you are ready.
What can a clinic not guarantee, and which claims are red flags?
No clinic can guarantee a specific amount of weight loss, and FTC guidance identifies several common promises as false. Results vary from person to person, and trial averages describe groups, not individuals.
The FTC's Gut Check guide for media describes seven types of weight-loss claims it calls false: weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without dieting or exercise; substantial loss no matter what or how much you eat; permanent loss even after you stop using the product; blocking the absorption of fat or calories; safe loss of more than three pounds a week for more than four weeks; substantial loss for all users; and loss from wearing a product or rubbing it on the skin [3]. A related FTC page calls such claims almost always false or misleading [4]. NIDDK adds warning signs such as promises to lose 30 pounds in 30 days, fine print, and before-and-after photos or endorsements that seem too good to be true [5].
FDA's list of telehealth red flags for GLP-1 drugs includes claims that a compounded drug is the same as an approved drug, deep discounts, no required prescription screening, and no available licensed doctor [1]. Those items are about missing evaluation and missing clinicians rather than the format of the visit, so a telehealth service that screens you and connects you with a licensed clinician is different from one that does not. Other warning signs from the sources above include products you cannot trace to a licensed pharmacy [1], an HCG weight-loss program, given FDA's statements [2], and financing pressure at the point of care [18].
What should a good first visit include?
A good first visit is an evaluation, not a sales appointment, and it should leave you with a written plan and the information to decide without pressure.
Based on the sources above, expect these elements: a review of your medical history, medications and family history [7][8]; BMI and possibly waist circumference, with blood tests where a medical cause of weight change is suspected [7]; screening for contraindications and for pregnancy plans [8]; a discussion of whether medication is appropriate given BMI and health conditions [6]; an eating, activity and counseling plan to pair with any medication [5][6]; a monitoring schedule and a reassessment point [6]; a maintenance plan [5]; and a written statement of total cost and financing terms [5][18]. At Healthy Weight Loss 4 U, every program begins with clinician evaluation, and we encourage you to ask us the same twelve questions.
What this means in practice
Bring the twelve questions to your first call or visit, write down the answers, and compare at least two clinics. A clinic that welcomes the questions and answers them plainly is showing you how it will treat you afterward.
- Look up the clinician's license in the Florida or Colorado lookup before you pay a deposit.
- Ask for the drug name, source and FDA status in writing.
- Ask what screening happens before the prescription and what follow-up happens after.
- Get total costs and financing terms in writing, and take time to decide.
- Treat any guarantee, any pressure, or any skipped evaluation as reasons to look elsewhere.
When to talk to a clinician and red flags
Contact a licensed health care professional right away if you suspect an adverse effect from any weight-loss product; FDA also asks patients to report problems through MedWatch [1][2]. FDA's statement on HCG injections includes reports of pulmonary embolism, depression, cerebrovascular issues, cardiac arrest and death [2].
Stop and reassess if a clinic offers treatment without an evaluation, will not tell you the exact product and source, promises specific results, or cannot show a valid license. Reassess too if you are pressured into a financing agreement at the visit [1][3][18].
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a doctor's license in Florida?
How do I verify a doctor's license in Colorado?
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Wegovy?
What are the biggest red flags at a weight loss clinic?
What should happen at my first appointment?
Is telehealth weight loss care safe?
Sources
- FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-provider
- Questions and Answers about HCG Products for Weight Loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2016 (page date). fda.gov/drugs/medication-health-fraud/questions-and-answers-hcg-produc
- Gut Check: A Reference Guide for Media on Spotting False Weight-Loss Claims. Federal Trade Commission, 2014. ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/gut-check-reference-guide-media-sp
- FTC Has Updated Guidance for Media Outlets on Spotting False Weight-Loss Claims in Advertising. Federal Trade Commission, 2014. ftc.gov/node/43974
- Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 2024. niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/choosing-a-safe-suc
- Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. NIDDK, 2024. niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medica
- Overweight and Obesity: Symptoms and Diagnosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022. nhlbi.nih.gov/health/overweight-and-obesity/symptoms
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/215256s031lbl218316s003l
- ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/217806s002lbl.pdf
- License Help (Verify a License). Florida Department of Health, n.d.. floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/license-help
- Check your doctor. Florida Department of Health, 2015. floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2015/12/122315-check-your-doctor.html
- FLHealthSource.gov (Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance). Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, n.d.. flhealthsource.gov/
- Division of Professions and Occupations (Verify a License). Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, n.d.. dpo.colorado.gov/
- Check a Business or Professional License. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, n.d.. dora.colorado.gov/check-a-license
- Colorado Medical Board Actions. Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, n.d.. dpo.colorado.gov/Medical/BoardActions
- Healthcare Professions Profiling Program. Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, n.d.. dpo.colorado.gov/COHPC
- About DocInfo. Federation of State Medical Boards, n.d.. docinfo.org/about-docinfo/
- Medical Credit Cards and Financing Plans. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2023. files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_medical-credit-cards-and-fi
Keep reading
Brand-Name vs Compounded GLP-1 Drugs: What the FDA Says
Read →Who Qualifies for Medical Weight Loss? BMI and FDA Criteria
Read →Managing GLP-1 Side Effects: Nausea, Reflux, Red Flags
Read →HCG Diet: What the FDA and the Evidence Say
Read →Questions about your own situation? A clinician can review your history and goals. Related: Personalized Weight Loss Counseling.